The NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo, has appointed world renowned conductor André Previn as Principal Guest Conductor from the 2009/2010 season, as we take another step forward in our pursuit of excellence. We hope this will uplift the expectations of our audiences. In addition to André Previn, the season will be conducted by a gorgeous lineup of conductors, including Christopher Hogwood, Kurt Masur (who will be conducting this season's Beethoven 9th Symphony Concerts), Nello Santi, Semyon Bychkov, as well as Charles Dutoit, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Herbert Blomstedt, names closely associated with the NSO. All are sure to delight the ears of audiences.

Christopher Hogwood will start the season in September with his first ever appearance with the NSO. Mr. Hogwood, who, in recent years, has become known as a musicologist, has worked on new editions of Mendelssohn, the bicentenary of whose birth is being celebrated in 2009. With his baton, he will introduce us to his edition of Mendelssohn's Symphony No.3 Schottische for the first time in Japan, as well as a wide range of music from Beethoven Symphony No.7 to Haydn and Prokofiev.

André Previn takes up the podium in October. His program of Mozart's three symphonies–Symphony No.38 Prag to Symphony No.40–is a must for NSO music lovers. He also offers an attractive selection of programs including R. Strauss' Symphonia domestica and his own composition which will see its premiere performance in Japan.

The November series is by Nello Santi, who will conduct popular works such as Schubert's Unfinished, Brahms Symphony No.1, Beethoven's Pastorale, Respighi's Fontane di Roma and Stravinsky's L'oiseau de feu. The following month will be directed by Music Director Emeritus Charles Dutoit. Among the works he presents to us, R. Strauss' Don Quixote and Janáček's Glagolitic Mass are especially noteworthy.

The January series is shared by Jun'ichi Hirokami, and Lawrence Foster, who opens up the new year with festive music including works by three Strausses–brothers Johann and Joseph, and German composer Richard Strauss–as well as Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker (2nd Act). Mr. Hirokami, who has established himself on the world stage as a conductor to represent Japan, will take the podium with works by Takemitsu and Prokofiev.

Semyon Bychkov, known as a conductor of passion, will make his first appearance with the NSO in February with Stravinsky's Le sacre du printemps, Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony as well as Mahler's 5th Symphony to kick off the celebration of the 150th anniversary of his birth. Honorary Conductor Herbert Blomstedt continues the celebration in April and will be conducting Mahler Symphony No.9 as well as Bruckner Symphony No.5 and Beethoven Symphony No.3 Eroica, all large works deserving of a conductor of his stature.

The month of May will be taken over by two Japanese conductors, Tadaaki Otaka, whose conducting has reached a high level of maturity, and Tatsuya Shimono, known for his mellow music. Conductor Laureate Vladimir Ashkenazy makes his appearance after a two-year absence by conducting Mahler Symphony No.6 for yet another celebration of Mahler Jubilee year, as well as works such as Dvořák Symphony No.8 to conclude the season.

Working with such conductors are a wide variety of soloists including pianists such as veteran Rudolf Buchbinder, three up-and-coming Russian pianists ushering in a new era–Nikolai Lugansky, Alexei Volodin and Kirill Gerstein–and Kazune Shimizu, a leading Japanese pianist. Viviane Hagner, a popular violinist for her intelligent musicality, and Daniel Hope, who has a wide repertoire from classical to contemporary to jazz, and Felicity Lott, world renowned soprano, just a few of many solo artists to perform.

The special annual Beethoven 9th Symphony Concerts at the year-end are by prominent conductor Kurt Masur. Beethoven Symphony No.9 by Mr. Masur, who has won acclaim for his Beethoven works, is sure to delight the audience. Apart from subscription concerts, the NHK Symphony Orchestra intends to present a wide variety of concerts this season including special concerts such as Music Tomorrow, Summer Concert and N-kyo Hotto Concert. We hope you will enjoy our 2009/2010 season programs to your heart's content.